Queer Eye’s beauty expert Jonathan Van Ness shares their best hair care tips for those on a budget
Celebrity hairstylist Jonathan Van Ness has shared his top tips for keeping your locks healthy through the winter months without breaking the bank.
Jonathan also denounced the idea that men don’t have to put so much effort into their hair to keep it healthy.
Jonathan, who rose to fame as a beauty expert on Netflix’s hit show Queer Eye, also revealed how often people should wash and cut their hair.
Speaking to FEMAIL, the TV star said that both men and women should go to the hairdresser every six weeks and shampoo just four times a week for healthy hair.
For those who can’t afford to shell out the money for frequent hairdressing appointments amid the rising cost of living, they shared their tips and tricks for maintaining luscious locks without the price tag.
Below, Jonathan shares their expert knowledge on how to take care of your hair no matter your budget.
Jonathan Van Ness (pictured) shared their best hair care tips, from how often to get a haircut to why men should take care of their locks just as much as women
Jonathan, who rose to fame as a beauty expert on Netflix’s hit show Queer Eye, also revealed their hacks for healthy hair maintenance that don’t cost a dime
GO TO THE HAIRDRESSER EVERY SIX WEEKS
Jonathan’s ‘rule of thumb’ for healthy hair maintenance is going to the hairdresser every six weeks.
“This is especially important if you’re trying to maintain your length, as the ends of our hair are drier and more fragile than the new hair at the root and tend to split if neglected,” they said.
“If you’re trying to grow your hair out, you can stretch it to eight or nine weeks as long as you use heat protection and quality products, but I wouldn’t go much further than that.”
Jonathan does admit that those who want Rapunzel-esque locks can extend that time to three months to “be gentler on your hair.”
“Make sure you and your hairdresser are on the same page so your new length doesn’t fall to the floor after a cut,” they added
Jonathan’s ‘rule of thumb’ is to get a haircut every six weeks. “If you’re trying to grow your hair out, you can stretch it to eight or nine weeks,” they said
CAN’T YOU VISIT THE HAIRDRESSER OFTEN? TRY THESE FIVE HACKS
There are ways to take care of your hair without spending a dime, Jonathan said, by washing less often, brushing from bottom to top and avoiding shampoos with harsh chemicals.
They said people with longer hair should sleep with their lengths up in a loose bun.
“This keeps it away from your body heat and helps minimize breakage from rubbing against your pillowcase throughout the night,” they said.
“Avoid shampoos with more aggressive surfactants such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, and Ammonium Laureth Sulfate.” These will dry out your hair much faster,” they added.
Unless your hair is really dirty, Jonathan said there’s no need to shampoo more than two to four times a week, as the natural oil keeps it healthy and soft.
They say to brush your hair from the bottom up, starting with detangling the ends, then the middle section and ending from the roots to make it feel “stronger and healthier for longer.”
Brushing from the roots down can collect all the knots and tangles and drag them to the ends, causing them to break.
Jonathan also recommends protecting your mane from the sun, adding, “if products with UV protection aren’t in the budget, try keeping your hair covered with a nice hat or scarf outside.”
CHANGE YOUR HAIR CARE IN WINTER
“The most important thing you can do to keep your hair looking and feeling its healthiest in winter is to keep it hydrated,” said Jonathan.
Whether you live in the chilly southern states or even the warmer tropics like Far North Queensland, the beauty expert said winter weather conditions can make your mane dry.
“Hair likes to get moisture from the environment, so if your hair is on the dry side or if you live in a region with a lot of humidity in the winter, your hair will get frizzy and if it’s a drier winter, it will feel drier,” they said.
They suggested finding a “pre-poo” treatment to apply on wash days and using a hair mask and leave-in conditioner spray to lock in moisture between washes.
Thanks to Jonathan’s passion for hair care, they have released their own line of products including a pre-wash scalp oil, shampoo and a leave-in conditioner spray
MEN NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR HAIR TOO
Jonathan said a person’s routine will determine how to care for their hair and warned men not to vigorously dry their hair with a towel after they get out of the shower.
“A really simple thing that can also make a big difference is paying attention to how you dry your hair right out of the shower,” they said.
“If the hair is on the short side, you tend to rub your towel over your hair to remove excess moisture, but this can rough up your cuticle and cause frizz.” Instead, gently and deliberately squeeze the water out of your hair.”
For men who are often active and spend a lot of time outdoors, Jonathan recommends using a product with UV protection, as well as a pre-wash scalp oil to remove excess sweat and dirt that can’t be washed away with shampoo.
Thanks to Jonathan’s passion for hair care, they released their own line of products including a pre-wash scalp oil, hair mask, shampoos and a leave-in conditioner spray.
Australians can get the hand JVN Hair line in store or online Sephora.
There are ways to take care of your hair without spending money, Jonathan said, by washing less often, brushing from bottom to top and avoiding shampoos with harsh chemicals.
A GOOD HAIR DRYER IS WORTH A RULE
Of all the products that Jonathan thinks hair lovers should put their money on, a good quality hair dryer would be their number one.
“They’re more of an investment, but high-end dryers like Dysons provide more consistent heat and also last longer, so they’re worth it,” they said.
“Pair it with a heat-activated product like Blowout Styling Milk with heat protection up to (230°C) and you’ll see a big difference.”